We’re not here to bear down on pregnant women who wear heels — after all, we all have varying levels of comfort, and there are those with high feet arches that make it excruciating to walk in flats.
But being the emphatic beings that we female folks are, we can’t help but feel for the mommies-to-be who, in their last trimester, continue to balance their bulging baby bumps, curved spines, and swollen feet on spindly stilettos. They may say they’re comfortable, but to us on the outside looking in, they just don’t seem like they are.
Below are 20 heavily pregnant celebrities who continued to wear high heels well into their last trimester. Who among them do you think did it as a contractual obligation, for a publicity photo-op, or just for plain ol’ fashion’s sake?
1. Kim Kardashian in Torturous Heels
Kim Kardashian made it to our worst shoe disasters of 2013 list for continuing to wear heels despite visibly swollen feet when she was pregnant with baby North.
Kim Kardashian at Naimie’s Beauty Center in North Hollywood, California, on May 16, 2013
Kim Kardashian at an in-store appearance to launch their Kardashian Kollection spring 2013 clothing line at Sears in Houston, Texas, on May 4, 2013
2. Kate Middleton in Black Suede Heels
Right before Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to Prince George, she and her nearly nine-month baby bump had to attend one last engagement in black suede heels.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at the naming ceremony for the ship Royal Princess at Ocean Terminal in Southampton, England, on June 13, 2013
3. Victoria Beckham in Christian Louboutin “Daffodile” Platform Pumps
Victoria Beckham is not known for her smile, but she looked downright miserable when she attended the Royal Wedding six months pregnant and wearing painful-looking Christian Louboutin “Daffodile” platform pumps.
David and Victoria Beckham at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on April 29, 2011
4. Beyonce in Towering Black Pumps
Beyoncé hid the size of her baby bump well with scarves and jackets, but we could still see how high her heels were.
Beyonce arriving at an office building in Manhattan, New York City, on October 24, 2011
By the way, this is how 8-year-old Beyoncé looked when performing “Home” from “The Wiz” in a Peoples’ Workshop talent competition.
8-year-old Beyoncé performing “Home” from “The Wiz” in a Peoples’ Workshop talent competition
5. Angelina Jolie in Open-Toe Heels
Even the usually pragmatic Angelina Jolie wore heels at one point in her pregnancy with her twins, Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.
Angelina Jolie at the Changeling photocall at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 20, 2008
6. Gwen Stefani in High Heeled Boots
Gwen Stefani loved her Dr. Martens–inspired heels so much that she couldn’t give up wearing them in her last pregnancy with son Apollo Bowie Flynn.
Gwen Stefani running errands around Los Angeles, California, on December 27, 2013
7. Drew Barrymore in High Heels
We see Drew Barrymore tried hard to smize with a huge nine-month baby bump while wearing high heels.
Drew Barrymore at the Warner Bros. Pictures event at CinemaCon 2014 held at Caesars Palace Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 27, 2014
8. Kerry Washington in Studded Christian Louboutin pumps
Just a month after walking the 2014 Oscars red carpet in studded Louboutins, Kerry Washington gave birth to daughter Isabelle Amarachi.
Kerry Washington at the 2014 Oscars in Los Angeles, California, on March 2, 2014
9. Kate Winslet in Christian Louboutin “Angelique” Pumps
Kate Winslet carried her seven-months-pregnant belly in a red Jenny Packham gown and Christian Louboutin “Angelique” peep-toe pumps well.
Kate Winslet at the BFI London Film Festival Gala screening of Labor Day at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, England, on October 14, 2013
10. Alyson Hannigan in Black Peep-Toe Heels
Alyson Hannigan and her then seven-month baby bump were obligated to grace the ‘American Pie’ premiere.
Alyson Hannigan at the American Reunion premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on March 19, 2012
11. Melissa George in Strappy Sandals
Melissa George was brave for wearing heels while pregnant at the 2013 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event.
Melissa George at the 2013 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in Manhattan, New York City, on November 20, 2013
A pregnant Melissa George showed off her feet in high heels
12. Kate Hudson in Casadei Slingback Pumps
Kate Hudson with her baby bump high-heeled and triple-platformed her way in Casadei slingback pumps.
Kate Hudson at the Alexander McQueen: “Savage Beauty” Costume Institute Gala 2011 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 2, 2011
13. Rachel Zoe in Brian Atwood “Didier” Leopard-Print Booties
There seems to be no way Rachel Zoe will ever give up wearing heels, especially ones as beautiful as her Brian Atwood “Didier” leopard-print booties.
38-week-pregnant Rachel Zoe leaving after having breakfast at Jack n’ Jill’s in Beverly Hills, California, on March 14, 2011
14. Hilary Duff in Maison Martin Margiela open-toe booties
Hilary Duff marched straight to her ob-gyn’s office in Maison Martin Margiela open-toe booties.
Hilary Duff heading into a medical office building in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2012
15. Reese Witherspoon in Versace platform sandals
Reese Witherspoon made walking on the red carpet in Versace platform sandals while pregnant look graceful.
Reese Witherspoon at the Mud premiere held during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 26, 2012
16. Kristin Cavallari in Stiletto Heels
Kristin Cavallari and her slim figure snap in and out of pregnancy, so stiletto heels are no big deal in comparison.
Kristin Cavallari at the 22nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing/after-party in West Hollywod, California, on March 2, 2014
17. Holly Madison in Platform Stilettos
Holly Madison was another celebrity who just had to wear platform stilettos while pregnant.
Holly Madison at the Red Carpet Grand Opening for the CeeLo Green is Loberace show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 2, 2013
18. Kendra Wilkinson in Black Pumps
Not to be one-upped by Holly Madison, fellow former Playboy playmate Kendra Wilkinson also proved she could rock heels while heavily pregnant.
Kendra Wilkinson at the Jennifer Love Hewitt Celebrates the Release of Her New Baby Collection with Pea in the Pod event in Beverly Hills, California, on April 2, 2014
19. Jessica Simpson in Studded Pumps
As her name is a shoe brand, it’s Jessica Simpson’s job to wear fabulous shoes, pregnant or not.
Jessica Simpson at NBC Universal’s Winter Tour party at The Athenaeum in Los Angeles, California, on January 6, 2012
20. Jennifer Lopez in Thigh-High Boots
While not yet in the last trimester, Jennifer Lopez was pregnant with twins when she arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City to appear on David Letterman.
Jennifer Lopez was pregnant with twins outside Ed Sullivan Theatre for the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ in New York City on October 9, 2007
She covered up her baby bump with a large pea coat and sported high-heeled thigh high boots.
Jennifer Lopez wears an S&M-inspired leather cap with gold chain detail
Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Anwar Hussein / Arnold Wells / Daniel Tanner / Ivan Nikolov / Judy Eddy / Lia Toby / FayesVision / SIPA / WENN / HRC